Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/298794
38 • MAY 2014 • WORLD FENCE NEWS WELCOME TO THE LAWLER EXPANDED PRODUCT LINE WELCOME TO THE LAWLER 800.624.9512 Fax: 205.595.0599 4908 Powell Ave So Birmingham Alabama • 35222 LawlerFoundry.com LAWLER ALL YOUR ORNAMENTAL NEEDS, CASTINGS, FORGINGS & SPEARS. And now "Gold Medal" Hardware & Accessories! Hinges, Latches, Locks, Closers, Track Wheels, Springs & More! FOUNDRY CORPORATION SINCE 1933 ALL ORDERS SHIP FROM ONE LOCATION TO SAVE YOU MONEY! HIGHEST QUALITY FASTEST SERVICE LOWEST PRICES SEE HOW OUR EXPANDED SELECTION BENEFITS YOU. Trade associations strive to improve the industries that they serve BY TOM LUBY, PRESIDENT, PROFIT BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL and decking industries, but there are some other very worthy associations that serve these industries. I took a quick look at a few of them and would like to briefly mention each and a short synopsis of what I found about each. They are not presented in any par- ticular order, nor do we at World Fence News harbor any favoritism. We urge our readers to check them out and judge for themselves their value and merit to their own operations. One group I know of that serves In March I had the pleasure of at- tending and speaking at yet another American Fence Association (AFA) sponsored FenceTech annual fence in- dustry trade show. At that time I wrote a few words of encouragement for the new in-house management team, who, in my opinion, did a fantastic job put- ting on this worthwhile event. I would like to again verbalize my support for such a gathering; I think these conventions and trade shows are completely worthwhile. Not only are they fun to attend, but the networking opportunities – meeting with new and old vendors and seeing what is new in the industry – is a fabulous and wonderful opportunity. The AFA is the largest association serving the fence, gate, access control the fence industry well is the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute (CLFMI), which was started in 1960 by a group of manufacturing firms who wanted to be able to compete ef- fectively with the larger, integrated steel companies which dominated the market after World War II. As these steel companies gradu- ally left the chain link fence business to concentrate on larger markets (con- sumer products, automobiles, etc.,) the CLFMI member firms became more dominant in the marketplace. I have never had the honor of speaking at or attending a CLFMI event, but would welcome that oppor- tunity should it arise. World Fence News has, of course, been an associate member of the group for many, many years, and has partic- ipated in and reported on the group's numerous initiatives, programs and projects. Also performing a great service to the fence industry through the access control market segment is the Interna- tional Door Association (IDA), whose primary mission is to provide pro- grams and services to door and access systems dealers for the express pur- pose of enhancing their value and pro- fessionalism. Door and access systems dealers sell, install and service an array of products, including residential doors and operators, commercial doors and operators, fire doors, and gates. IDA produces an annual trade show and exposition, the IDAExpo, which I'm sure many of you have at- tended or exhibited at. Another long-standing and effec- tive organization is the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA), which says it is North America's leading trade association of manufacturers of garage doors, rolling doors, high performance doors, garage door operators, vehicular gate opera- tors, and access control products. DASMA has been vigilant and effec- tive in promoting important safety standards in the door and gate au- tomation industries. DASMA was the result of the con- solidation of two of the industry's largest manufacturer associations: the Door Operator & Remote Controls Manufacturers Association (DOR- CMA) and the National Association of Garage Door Manufacturers (NAGDM). In 2006, the American Rolling Door Institute (ARDI) merged into DASMA. I did have the opportunity to speak to this group some years back, and I do remember it was a rewarding experi- ence. There is also a relatively new fence association, the North American Fence Contractors Association (NAFCA), which was founded about three years ago. From the beginning, the organization has stressed education to improve the industry. NAFCA has held a national fence installation school each year since its formation, along with numerous gate operator schools for beginners and more ad- vanced installers. We support and encourage all groups and associations whose ulti- mate goal is to enhance the level of professionalism in the industry, im- prove the buying experience of their